Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in St. Louis Park, MN: $48.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in St. Louis Park, MN runs $48.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,557 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against St. Louis Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,938 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Louis Park, Minnesota, the projected median hourly rate for dental hygienists in 2026 is $48.83, slightly lower than the national median of $49.49. This wage reflects the earning potential for both full-time and part-time dental hygienists, particularly those working three days a week who can expect to earn a solid income while balancing other commitments. Per-diem workers and agency staff in various settings, including general dentistry practices and public health clinics, can find themselves within an hourly range from $38.58 to $61.45. The outlook for entry-level practitioners is promising, with opportunities to advance within a framework where the upper echelon of earners can see pay as high as $61.45, making this profession both accessible and rewarding for new graduates and seasoned professionals alike.
About the St. Louis Park Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($98,738) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.58 | $308.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.98 | $335.81 |
| Median (P50) | $48.83 | $390.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.75 | $430.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.45 | $491.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Louis Park
Based on $48.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.83/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Louis Park, MN can expect to earn approximately $101,563 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,594. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Louis Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Louis Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,953.14 | $8,464 | $101,563 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,171.89 | $5,078 | $60,938 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $781.26 | $3,385 | $40,625 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (St. Louis Park) | $48.83 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Dental Hygienists in St. Louis Park, MN earn a median of $101,557 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.35% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.70% below the Minnesota state average of $105,459.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.83/hr = $60,938/year (purchasing power: $61,866).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,563/year (purchasing power: $103,110).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$35.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.83/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+44.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in St. Louis Park (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $35.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in St. Louis Park grew 31.5% from $35.39/hr (2020) to $46.53/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.24/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Louis Park metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in St. Louis Park
Considering the earning potential for part-time dental hygienists, someone working three days per week at a total of 24 hours can see significant earnings annually, though still lower than full-time hours would yield. Per diem dental hygienist pay in St. Louis Park can vary widely based on employer types, with temp agencies typically offering between $40 to $60 per hour, while higher-cost-of-living cities may command rates of $60 to $85. When comparing various employment settings—such as solo practices, multi-doctor groups, or Dental Service Organizations like Aspen or Heartland Dental—it's essential to assess the trade-offs. Many dental hygienists may opt for slightly lower hourly pay at some of these organizations for benefits like health insurance or retirement plans. When engaging in salary negotiations, it can be beneficial to highlight one’s experience and any specialty skills, as negotiations in St. Louis Park can significantly influence overall compensation beyond just the hourly rate.
More salary data for St. Louis Park, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in St. Louis Park in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in St. Louis Park?
Are dental hygienists in St. Louis Park paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in St. Louis Park?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in St. Louis Park?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in St. Louis Park. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for St. Louis Park is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov